st and only inhabited
one of a group of islands. The people were from Cochin, and, as several
of the seamen could speak Malay, it was easy to carry on a conversation
with them.

The pirates lived here in the most intimate way with the natives, whose
chief employment was making tar from the sap of trees. Others employed
themselves in catching turtle and boiling the fat into oil, which, with
the tar, they sent to their native country.

The island abounded in birds, such as parrots, doves, pigeons, and wild
cocks and hens. The country people supplied them with hogs and turtle,
and other provisions.

A convenient spot being found, the ship was careened and the men
employed in felling trees, sawing them into planks, and making a house
to store their goods. A new suit of sails was also made from the cloth
taken out of the Manilla ship. Here two of the men died who had been
poisoned. At their request their livers were taken out by the doctor,
and found to be black, light, and dry, like pieces of cork. Having
spent a month at this place, they sailed on the 21st of April, and after
touching at a number of places, on their way they overtook a Chinese
junk, which came from Sumatra, fully laden with pepper. From her crew
the pirates learned that the English were settled on the island, at a
place called Sillabar.

On anchoring they saw a small bark at anchor near the shore. Captain
Reed ordered a boat's crew to go and ascertain what she was, charging
the men on no account to venture on board. Neglecting his advice, they
pulled alongside, and several of them, leaping up, were stabbed by the
Malays who manned her, supposing that they had come with hostile intent.
The rest quickly leapt overboard, some into the boat, and others into
the sea. Among them was Daniel Wallis, who had never swum before, but
who now swam lustily until he was taken on board. Captain Reed
immediately shoved off in another boat to punish the Malays, but they
seeing him coming, they scuttled their vessel and made for the shore,
where they hid themselves. Here Dampier and Coppinger resolved to leave
the pirates, it having been against their will that Captain Swan had
been deserted, and they having become ashamed of the proceedings of
their companions. Coppinger managed to land, but Captain Reed sent
after him and brought him back, and they had to put off their design
until a more favourable opportunity.

Finding the sea where they intended to c